Chasing Foreigners Won’t Fix S’Africa Problems – MTN
MTN Group Chairman Mcebisi Jonas has said South Africa’s deep economic and social problems are caused by poor governance, not by foreign nationals.
He made the remarks on Friday while delivering a eulogy at the funeral of Zimbabwean-born activist and public servant Thokozani Damasane in Johannesburg.
Jonas argued that removing foreign nationals would not end unemployment, inequality or corruption because the country’s biggest challenge is weak leadership.
He blamed failures in border management, policing, education and immigration control for the current situation, saying politicians have instead turned public anger towards migrants.
He also criticised growing anti-foreigner sentiment, saying Damasane’s life showed that humanity is more important than nationality.
Jonas warned that identity politics and tribal divisions continue to fuel discrimination across Africa and called for those divisions to be rejected.
The former deputy finance minister urged South Africans to embrace African unity, saying the country’s future is closely tied to the rest of the continent.
He added that people should be judged by their values, principles and integrity rather than where they come from.
